Hi all - not knowing how often any of you check out the Media channel here, pop on over there to see the latest video version of one of my ITEA Journal articles - this time featuring Sousa's longest-tenured tubist, John W. "Jack" Richardson. Enjoy!



1920s photo with John Richardson - closer up ...

Hi all! As an early Christmas gift for Sousaphone enthusiasts (yeah, perhaps I'm the only one!), here is the fascinating story of "The Big Man with the Big Horn," John W. "Jack" Richardson (1874-1939), who was the face of that unique shoulder-borne instrument for at least a generation. This is the ...

I'll chime in, briefly . . .

As one who contributes regularly to the ITEA Journal from the standpoint of the history of our instrument, and especially the Sousaphone, I have found each of the journal editors over the years great to work with. And there is simply nowhere else that one can go to read ...

Hi all - I just posted at the Media channel the video version of the article I presented this morning at the East Coast Band Conference, titled, "Sousaphone Milestones in Sousa's Incredible Band." Head over there to check it out - thanks!

Oh, and here's the group of presenters from this morning (I ...

Hi all - here's the latest video version of one of my ITEA Journal articles. Enjoy!

Are you accepting donation for a chance to toot on it?

:tuba:


May we toot on it even if we don't donate?


TY.

I’m cheap but I didn’t want to come right out and say it.

But now the YOU mentioned it… :huh:


While I have had the opportunity to play this instrument in the past (2015), I ...

Hi all - I have been invited by the folks at J. W. Pepper to help host the original Sousaphone while it is on display at the upcoming Allentown Band concert (see info below). If you've ever wanted to see that historic instrument up-close and personal, here's your chance!



Oct 13 Concert Poster ...

I believe this was identified before, but it was just sent to me by a friend, and I can't remember what (meaning... who made it) or where it is. Can someone identify it (again) for me?

Thanks.


It is indeed the Harvard Tuba! Here's the history behind this colossal instrument:

https://www ...

It is indeed nice to hear it in action - thanks so much for sharing this link!

Two things, however - a question, and a clarification:

1. Looking at this horn, is it really a subcontrabass tuba in C? That would require 32 feet of main tubing, and I don't see that.

2. Regardless, it is definitely ...

While I have researched and written extensively on the history of the Sousaphone, most often in The ITEA Journal , I thought it might be nice to get a simple, visually interesting summary of the story behind the original Sousaphone out to the general public - just in case you're interested. Enjoy ...

20” bell. Horn stands at 3 ft.
152864 - circa 1916?
No other markings other than the bell design.


It is most likely, then, that what you have is a C. G. Conn New Invention "Giant" Model Contra Eb Bass, from either 1916 or 1917 (depending on which serial number list you reference). Once again ...

Can you share the serial number, as well as the basic dimensions (bell diameter, weight)? That might help to hone in on which model it is. Just know that the model numbers (like 2J) didn't appear until around 1921.

Here's everything I've collected so far related to Conn tubas: https://tubapastor ...

Hi all - with a snow day today, I decided to polish up Jack Richardson's little Sander tuba that was recently given to me by his great nephew. It looks fantastic for being roughly 100 years old!

Hi all - if you're interested in obscure Sousaphones, I played alongside one on Tuesday, and it was great fun!

Here's the link for the details: https://tubapastor.blogspot.com/2024/01 ... phone.html

I saw him in the early 80s, along with the USC Symphony Orchestra, when I was working as an usher for concerts in Bovard Auditorium while a student at USC. I was ushering in the balcony for that particular concert, and to my surprise, shortly before the concert started, Peter Schikele, dressed as P ...

Will Dillon Music or someone else be willing to measure and/or copy the mouthpiece? It’s always interesting to get these historical mouthpieces faithfully copied if only for posterity but there’s also a chance it could be a good fit for some people.


The mouthpiece, from what I can tell, is ...

Very cool.

Was he a really tall guy?

By the picture, it looks like a tall tuba and the lead pipe comes straight over rather than dipping down like most of that type. Was it modified for him?

Sent from my SM-S367VL using Tapatalk


I don't know the answer to your second question, but as to ...

Hi all - I made a trip out to Dillon Music yesterday to have Steve and Matt check out an old Rudolf Sander tuba that belonged to Jack Richardson, of Sousa Band fame. Included with the tuba, which was graciously given to me by Jack's great nephew, is his personal mouthpiece, stamped, "J. R."!

Here's ...

Hi all - my research on John W. "Jack" Richardson is moving along nicely. Here's what I've learned about the role that cigars played in his life. Enjoy!

https://tubapastor.blogspot.com/2023/11 ... again.html

I shouldn't post when I don't read the details, but if this was a really long time ago, someone was in the hospital for arthritis, and they broke their leg while they were in the hospital, I wonder if they actually had bone cancer which had not been diagnosed.


You may be right, as his ultimate ...